Also known as Breath of Heaven · 11 saves
Coleonema
Coleonema, the genus most gardeners know as breath of heaven. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 2 most-saved Coleonema varieties
Browse all 3 Coleonema varieties →
2 species of Coleonema
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Coleonema in Sow
Save the Coleonema you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Coleonema
Whats common across all Coleonema varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Coleonema year
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Prune lightly immediately after the main spring flowering flush to maintain a dense, rounded shape.
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a light dressing of organic compost or a low-dose, balanced organic fertilizer.
- PropagateAugust and September67% of varieties
Take semi-hardwood cuttings from the current season's growth for propagation.
- Check for PestsJune and July67% of varieties
Monitor the dense interior foliage for spider mites during hot, dry summer months.
Do
- Prune lightly every year immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, compact shape.
- Plant in raised beds or sloped areas if your garden has heavy or slow-draining soil.
- Water deeply but infrequently once the plant is established.
- Plant on a slope or in raised beds if your native soil is heavy clay.
- Prune lightly after the spring bloom to maintain a dense, compact shape.
Avoid
- Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in stagnant, waterlogged soil.
- Do not cut back into old, bare wood, as the plant cannot regenerate from dormant buds on mature stems.
- Do not apply heavy chemical fertilizers, especially those high in phosphorus.
- Do not cut back into old, leafless brown wood, as it lacks latent buds to resprout.
What goes wrong with Coleonema
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small, soft-bodied insects on tender new growth tips, sometimes accompanied by sticky honeydew. | Prune off heavily infested tips or spray with a sharp stream of water. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on the needle-like foliage and a dusty, washed-out appearance to the leaves under dry, dusty conditions. | Blast the foliage with a strong spray of water to knock off mites, or apply insecticidal soap in severe cases. |
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew and black sooty mold on stems. | Apply systemic or contact insecticides during the crawler stage. |
| Phytophthora root rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing, and dieback of branches, often starting on one side of the plant, caused by waterlogged soil. | Improve soil drainage immediately, reduce watering, and remove severely infected plants as there is no cure once roots rot. |
| Powdery mildew | White fungal residue on leaves during humid periods. | Improve air circulation and apply appropriate fungicides if necessary. |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure excellent drainage and avoid overwatering |
Making more Coleonema
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 3- to 4-inch semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or early fall.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
- Dip the base in rooting hormone and insert into a moist, sandy propagation mix.
- Keep in a warm, humid environment with indirect light until roots form.
cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone
- Plant in well-draining soil mix
- Mist regularly to maintain humidity
- Keep in bright, indirect light
- Roots develop in 4–6 weeks
Coleonema questions
How many types of Coleonema are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Coleonema varieties. The most popular — ranked by 11 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Coleonema grow in?
Across its varieties, Coleonema covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Coleonema bloom?
Most Coleonema varieties bloom in mid-spring, winter. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Coleonema should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.